This beautiful flower is found in many flower beds. Having seen it once, you will definitely want to plant such beauty at home or in the country. We are talking about a diverse, motley and incomparably beautiful aquilegia. This plant will decorate any place - a garden, a city flowerbed or your personal plot with your favorite flowers. The flower has been grown since ancient times. It can be found in medieval paintings, even in the works of Shakespeare.
The plant's name comes from the Latin words for "water" and "to gather." By the way, the second name of aquilegia sounds like this: catchment. Although, others believe that the flower got its name from the word meaning “eagle”. Growing aquilegia yourself is not so difficult, so feel free to choose this flower to decorate your areas!
Aquilegia refers to plants with a two-year development cycle. In the first year, a renewal point appears near the base of the shoot. After flowering, when autumn comes, a basal rosette is formed from it. Its leaves are dying next spring. Then new leaves grow, which also form a rosette. Already from it a peduncle with flowers and stem leaves appears.
The flowers of this plant have only one thing in common: their shape. They are solitary and drooping. Some varieties have hollow spurs - outgrowths of the petals, in the middle of which nectar accumulates. As for the color, it is impossible to describe it. The fact is that each variety or variety of aquilegia has its own color, usually including several shades. These include purple, crimson, and white, as well as yellow, blue, pink and many other colors.
Plant height may vary depending on the variety. Flowers are formed at the top of the stem. The leaves on the petioles are trifoliate and also very beautiful. They have an interesting bluish-green color.
One of the main advantages of this flower is the ease of its cultivation. A few simple steps - and aquilegia will decorate your flowerbed.
Types and varieties of aquilegia with photos
In nature, this flower is represented by more than 100 species. However, not all of them are grown decoratively. As for cultivation, the most commonly used varieties are:
- Alpine. It grows up to 30 cm, with very good care it can reach 80 cm. The flowers are large, about 8 cm in diameter. There are spurs - they are curved and short. The color range of the variety includes different shades of blue. Blooms in mid-summer.
- Ordinary. This is a European species, reaching a height of 40-80 cm. The flowers are not too large - about 5 cm. Varieties of this species can be different shades, with and without spurs, terry and simple. Most often, this species is characterized by shades of blue and purple. It survives severe frost - up to -35 0 C.
- Fan-shaped. Another name for this species is Akita. This plant reaches 60 cm, and the flowers grow up to 5-6 cm in diameter. There are spurs - long and strongly curved. There can be 1-5 flowers on a peduncle. The main color is blue, purple, with a fuzzy white border visible along the edge. Thanks to self-seeding, it grows well.
Aquilegia flabellata. Aquilegia fan-shaped Ministar. - Hybrid. This is a group of varieties of different forms that came out as a result of crossing Aquilegia vulgaris and American species flower. Its height can reach 50-100 cm. May have spurs different lengths or without them at all. The flowers of these varieties are large, about 9 cm. They can be simple, double.
- Canadian. Red-yellow flowers with spurs that like to grow in the shade in moist soil.
- Dark. This aquilegia has drooping dark flowers 3-4 cm in diameter. Her spurs are short, but beautifully curved. Stamens protruding. It begins to bloom around the beginning of summer.
Aquilegia Barlow Blue Barlow Blue - Skinner's Aquilegia. It has red-yellow flowers that hang down beautifully. The spurs are straight.
In addition to these species, flower lovers are also interested in other varieties of aquilegia, including ferruginous, blue, small-flowered and bicolor, Siberian, etc.
When to plant seeds for seedlings
So, how to grow aquilegia? It can be sown both in autumn and spring. In the first case, sowing is done directly into the ground. But in the spring it is best to sow the flower in seedling boxes. The month of March is perfect for this, when the days become noticeably longer.
Preparing soil and seeds
The preparation of the seeds of this plant depends on their quality. If you are sure that they are good, then you don't need to do anything special with them. But purchased seeds often produce poor seedlings.
In this case, it is better to subject them to stratification. The seeds should be placed in a cloth moistened with water, but not too wet. Wet sand is also suitable for this.
There are still ways to stimulate the growth of aquilegia seeds.
- They can be sown in boxes and placed in a cool place for a month. It could be a refrigerator, or the street. In the second case, the box is covered with snow. Optimal temperature such seed exposure is 0-5 0 C.
- There is another option - warm stratification. This is the soaking of seeds before planting at high temperature– approximately 35 0 C.
Particular attention should be paid to seeds that have already been stored for several years. They can be stimulated as follows: washed, sown in containers, placed in a warm place for a couple of days, and then in a cold place for a month. After this, the seeds are placed in heat again.
The following method also helps the seeds to germinate well: pour them onto a hard surface and lightly rub the top with sandpaper.
As for the soil, the easiest way is to prepare the substrate yourself. Sod soil, sand and leaf humus are mixed in equal quantities. That's the whole secret!
Sowing
When choosing boxes for sowing, you need to pay attention to their height. Aquilegia has a fairly delicate and long root, which should have enough space in the container.
Sowing is accomplished by simply scattering the seeds over the surface of the prepared substrate. There is no need to bury them. Just press down a little on top with your hand and sprinkle a thin layer of soil on top.
You only need to water with a sprayer so as not to wash the seeds. That's all - aquilegia is ready for germination!
To create greenhouse conditions seeds, the boxes after sowing are covered with transparent film or glass. In order for the flowers to germinate well, you need to provide them with certain conditions:
- There should be enough light, so it is better to place the boxes on the windowsill of a large window.
- Humidity must be maintained high.
- The air temperature should not be lower than 15 0 C.
Important to know! Direct sunlight should still not hit the plant. You need to pay attention to this when choosing a place for seedlings.
The cover from the boxes is removed immediately after the first sprouts appear. Seedlings can only be watered with a spray bottle, as they are very fragile. Temperature- the same as when sowing.
Of course, picking is carried out after the plants have two true leaves. If you are late with this procedure, the plants will overgrow and their roots will become more susceptible to damage. Then the flowers will weaken and be more prone to disease.
It is best to dive aquilegia into special peat pots. In this case, when transplanting to a permanent place, the roots of the flower will not be damaged.
Aquilegia or catchment: video
Transplanting seedlings into open ground
Well, your seedlings have already grown up and you want to quickly decorate your flowerbed with flowers. But there is no need to rush - it is important to choose right time. The best time for planting in the ground is when the frosts have definitely passed and the temperature outside does not fall below 15 0 C.
It is also advisable to choose the right place. Although aquilegia is not too whimsical, it still likes to grow in light soils, with good moisture and loose soil. Before planting, it is advisable to dig up the area, adding humus or, for example, compost. Fertilizers should be calculated as follows: approximately 1 bucket per 1 m3. You don’t need to dig too deep – about 20 cm.
Now you can start disembarking. To do this, we make holes at a distance of approximately 20-30 cm. In each we place a peat cup with grown aquilegia. If the plant variety is tall, then between the seedlings you need to leave more space– up to 40 cm.
Immediately after planting, it is advisable to shade the plants a little from the sun, otherwise they may die. After transplanting, the aquilegia should be carefully watered.
Attention! Different varieties of aquilegia do not get along well side by side. In addition, they are cross-pollinated and lose their characteristics.
It is also worth mentioning that aquilegia seeds are often sown before winter. This can be done artificially or simply wait for self-seeding. In addition, there is another way to propagate aquilegia - cuttings and dividing the bush. It is usually used for the most valuable and expensive varieties.
Dividing a bush is used only in extreme cases, when it is necessary to preserve some particularly valuable form or variety. The fact is that the root system of aquilegia lies very deep, and fragile roots do not tolerate the procedure of transplantation and division.
If you still had to resort to this method, select early spring or in early autumn a 3-5 year old bush, dig it up, very carefully so as not to damage the small roots, wash them from the ground.
Trim all shoots at a height of 5-7 cm and all leaves except two or three youngest, then cut the tap root in half lengthwise so that each half contains two or three renewal buds and several small roots, sprinkle the cut with crushed coal and plant the cuttings in boxes with a light but nutritious soil mixture. Most likely, they will be sick for a long time.
Propagation of aquilegia by cuttings is much easier. In the spring, before the leaves have yet blossomed, a young shoot of aquilegia is cut out “with a heel”, the lower end is treated with root and planted in a greenhouse or in the ground, but under a plastic bottle in loose soil, or better yet in river sand somewhere in a place shaded from the sun.
You will have to water the cuttings without removing the cover, which can only be removed for ventilation in about ten days. Rooting takes about 3-4 weeks, after which the cuttings are dug up and transplanted to a permanent place.
IN summer time caring for aquilegia mainly consists of periodic feeding. First you need to use mineral fertilizers. For 1 m2 there are 50-60 g of superphosphate, 10-20 g of potassium salt and 20-30 g of nitrate.
A solution of mullein with the addition of superphosphate (20 g) and potassium salt (8-10 g), all in 1 bucket of water, is also suitable for fertilizing these flowers in the summer. This amount is enough to fertilize 1 m2.
Plants that are already 4-5 years old have weak and small shoots. This happens because the upper roots rise and can rise 8-9 cm above the soil. But this can be avoided. You need to add peat manure compost mixed with humus under each bush. The height of the mounds is approximately 3-4 cm. This procedure is done at the end of each summer.
There is one way to get this wonderful plant to bloom earlier. For this purpose, aquilegia is forced out.
In the fall, its rhizomes are transplanted into ordinary flower pots or other deep container. This is how plants are stored in dark place before the onset of permanent cold weather.
For the winter, the boxes are placed in cool places. Basements are suitable for this, great place There will also be a cold greenhouse.
And already in mid-January or early February, the boxes with aquilegia are transferred to a warm place. There they need good lighting. The temperature should not be lower than 12-16 0 C.
If you adhere to all these conditions, then you will be able to enjoy the lovely aquilegia flowers in early April.
Don’t worry if the aquilegia bloomed profusely one year, but less so the second. Thus, these plants simply rest and gain strength. This process can be balanced by timely removal of faded shoots.
Aquilegia, like many other flowers, is unfortunately susceptible to pests and various diseases. The latter include powdery mildew and rust.
If appeared gray mold, then the parts affected by it must be removed and then burned.
The same applies to plants affected by rust. By the way, you can fight the latter.
For this they use soap solution, mixed with copper sulfate, sulfur-containing preparations are also suitable. Plants are sprayed with such solutions.
Nevertheless, The most common problem of aquilegia is powdery mildew . A white fungal coating on leaves and stems affects plants. It begins to change color, turns brown, and then curls and eventually dies. Green soap diluted with colloidal sulfur will help eliminate this problem. Or Fitosporin solution.
Insects can also spoil the life of aquilegia in your flowerbed. Spider mites and aphids, nematodes and cutworms can covet it. Aphids and spider mites can be controlled using the drugs Actellik, Karbofos or Millennium Paste.
But plants affected by nematodes are unlikely to be saved. It is best to burn them. Aquilegia must then be planted elsewhere. And in the previous area, plants are planted that are not afraid of this pest - garlic, onions, cereals.
Aquilegia seeds are collected from plants that have flowered. In most cases, the stems are cut off at this time so that they do not spoil the flower garden. But if desired, you can leave the flower stalks.
Pay attention! Aquilegia reproduces by self-sowing.
If you do not want to allow this to happen, then you need to put gauze bags on the fruits until the seeds ripen. As a rule, they can be collected in early August. Small black elongated seeds are carefully removed from the collected dried inflorescences. Their size reaches 2.5 x 1.5 mm.
Seeds must be stored correctly. It is advisable to keep them sub-zero temperature. In this case, they do not lose their abilities and will sprout well when sown in the spring.
Aquilegia seedlings (catchment). Disembarkation, care: video
The plants are unpretentious, with beautiful cut leaves and original flowers. Their height ranges from 40 to 100 cm.
Aquilegia (columbine) seeds are best purchased in specialized stores or online stores where they are provided large selection species and varieties of this plant with simple and double flowers of various colors.
Seeds remain viable for 5 years. But the most viable ones are freshly harvested. You can prepare the seeds yourself. In August, when the seed pods begin to turn yellow, they need to be cut off and stored in a dry place until ripening. You should not wait for the bushes to fully ripen - the seeds easily fall out and then propagation occurs by self-sowing.
If several types of aquilegia are already growing on the site, then natural cross-pollination occurs. As a result, new plant species are obtained. If it is necessary to preserve the original variety, then the plants must be isolated by planting at a distance from each other.
In the title photo are flowers of Aquilegia vulgaris (common aquilegia), variety Rose Barlow.
Hybrid aquilegia seeds purchased in a store have a germination rate of approximately 60 - 70%. As a rule, there are 10 seeds in a package, 6-7 of them will germinate. Therefore, it is recommended to buy with a reserve.
The columbine is easily propagated by seeds. Seeds are sown in autumn, before winter or early spring.
Aquilegia in pot culture, variety Aquilegia flabellata, variety Cameo Blush.
Pre-winter sowing
This is the simplest and most effective way. It is carried out in October.
To do this:
- Choose a semi-shaded place, add leaf humus to make the soil looser and more breathable.
- Sow the seeds and sprinkle a centimeter layer of soil on top.
- Lightly compact the soil with your palms.
- Water.
If the number of seeds is small and there is a risk of losing valuable specimens, then it is better to sow the seeds in small pots, which are then buried in the ground. With the onset of the first frost, cover the crops with a thin layer of mulch (for example, walnut leaves) or cover them with spunbond.
Thus, the seeds undergo natural acclimatization and produce good shoots. By the end of May - beginning of June, grown plants are planted in flower beds. Distance between plants – minimum 30 cm. Seedlings bloom the next year in June. Long lasting flowering about 30 – 40 days.
Seedlings obtained by winter sowing are stronger and more resilient.
Aquilegia in pot culture, variety Aquilegia flabellata, variety Cameo Rose & White
Spring sowing
Spring sowing dates: March-April. In May you can sow directly into the ground.
At spring sowing preliminary stratification is required. To do this, the seeds are kept in the refrigerator for several days. Sowed in mini greenhouses or in boxes in pre-prepared light gardening mixture.
Preparation of garden mixture
Deciduous soil, garden soil and sand are mixed in equal proportions and sifted through a coarse sieve.
It is very important to pre-disinfect the soil in order to destroy possible pests and pathogens of fungal diseases. For this ready soil should be steamed with boiling water or kept in the cold for several days.
You can do it easier: buy ready-made soil for seedlings at a flower shop.
Aquilegia ‘Swan Mixed’
Sowing seeds
- Distribute the seeds evenly over the surface of the soil so as not to dive in the future.
- Cover with a thin layer of prepared soil and spray well with a spray bottle. To create greenhouse effect Cover the crops with film.
Daily ventilation is required.
The best temperature for rapid emergence of sprouts: 16 – 19 degrees. Place the greenhouse in a bright place.
The waiting time for the first shoots is 3-4 weeks.
Monitor soil moisture and spray regularly.
Remember: one missed watering can destroy tender seedlings. If overmoistened, it is possible fungal diseases. With thickened seedlings, plants dive into separate cups when two separate leaves are formed
In early June, seedlings are planted in open ground. The plants bloom the following summer.
Note to gardeners: all parts of the plant are poisonous.
Columbine feels best in slightly shaded areas, but can also grow in full sun. In this case, the flowering duration is slightly shorter and smaller flowers.
Prefers moderately moist, loose soil. But it can also withstand drought, as it has a deep, well-developed root system. The plant overwinters without shelter.
Aquilegia has more than 100 species, growing mainly in the northern regions. About 40 are used in culture. Today, flower shops offer wide choice varieties of aquilegia, capable of satisfying the most demanding gardener.
But before making a choice, you need to study the pros and cons of each of them.
Aquilegia varieties
The main ones are the following.
Aquilegia "Winky"
This variety is intended not only for the garden, but also for pot culture. Plants are characterized small size and compact shape. A distinctive feature of the variety is that the flower cups look up rather than down. Flowering is very abundant and long lasting. Easily propagated by seeds sown in nutritious, well-drained soil.
The first shoots appear after 4-5 weeks at a temperature of 23 degrees. The optimal growing temperature is 14-18 degrees. It is possible to sow in open ground; for this, the seeds are first kept in the refrigerator for two weeks. Moisture-loving. It is advisable to plant in partial shade, but can also grow in sunny areas.
Aquilegia Winky
Mr Scott Eliot
Tall variety, with flowers of various colors. It produces flower stalks about 80 cm high. It has large flowers (8-10 cm). Used for cutting. Winters well. Care consists of regular weeding, watering and fertilizing.
Sowing: in autumn in open ground or in spring seedling method. The variety is unpretentious.
Nora Barlow
Very old variety. It was named after Charles Darwin's grandmother.
It reaches a height of 60-80 cm, 50 cm in diameter. Characterized by double flowers, bright pink with white tips, 4-6 cm in diameter, with spurs. Loves semi-shaded places with moderate moisture. The soils are light and nutritious.
Sowing in autumn in October in open ground or in March - April for seedlings, after preliminary stratification. Blooms in the second year.
Aquilegia ‘Nora Barlow’, photo flower
Aquilegia ‘Nora Barlow’, general view
Columbine
Variety 60-70 cm high. Various colors and shades. Unpretentious. Grows in shade and sun. Sowing seeds and agricultural technology are standard. Blooms in the second year. It can grow in one place for 4-5 years, after which it loses its decorative effect. It is recommended to replace with young seedlings from under the plant itself.
Aquilegia gigantea Mac Cana
Plants of this species can reach a meter in height, flowers - up to 10 cm in diameter, which are collected in paniculate inflorescences. Flowering is long lasting. Winters well and does not require shelter. It is highly decorative and hardy. Reproduction and agricultural technology are standard. When propagated by seed, it blooms in the second year.
Aquilegia McKana Giant
All types and varieties of aquilegia are perfectly propagated by seeds. There are no particular difficulties here. It is important to follow simple agrotechnical rules.
The most best results obtained by sowing fresh seeds in the winter way: here germination is better and the seedlings are stronger.
If there are already flowering specimens of the catchment area on the site, great! Plant successfully reproduces by self-sowing, and each time new color combinations and different subspecies are obtained.
Purchased seeds do not always have good germination and the varieties are not 100% consistent, but nevertheless you need to purchase seeds from reputable specialized stores to minimize the risk.
The plant is so beautiful and has many varieties that you need to try, experiment, invest work, time and love - and the result will only please you.
Propagation of aquilegia vegetatively
There are two more ways to propagate aquilegias - by dividing the bush and cuttings.
Dividing the bush
This method is most often used when it is necessary to preserve the varietal qualities of the plant. Specimens that have reached 3 years of age are suitable for this. You need to carefully dig up the plant so as not to damage the roots.
Mandatory: to avoid infection, rinse with water. Thoroughly disinfect the dividing tool.
Carefully cut the root into two halves so that approximately the same number of growth points and root branches remain on each of them. Sprinkle the slices with crushed charcoal. And immediately plant them in prepared holes, covering them with loose soil. Water generously.
In order for plants to take root, regular watering without overwatering is necessary.
The most best time for this procedure - early spring or end of summer.
Cutting method
Also used in the case of particularly valuable varieties. For this in April, young cuttings break off from the mother plant together with the “heel” and sits in the washed river sand. It would not be superfluous to treat with a root formation stimulator.
Rooting occurs within 30-40 days. All this time, the cuttings need shading and regular moistening.
By the end of summer, young plants can be planted in a permanent place.
Video consultation
Find out how best to propagate aquilegia in one of the most beautiful videos on the topic.
Aquilegia, or watershed, is graceful perennial with trifoliate gray-green leaves. Among the people you can find another name for aquilegia - “eagle”. Even without flowers, aquilegia is very beautiful thanks to its delicate bluish leaves and can serve as an excellent background for other plants.
Aquilegia "Mak Kana"
Description, types, varieties and hybrids.
Traditional varieties of aquilegia are white, pink or blue flowers with spurs on peduncles 60-90 cm high. Modern varieties more diverse in plant height, color and shape of flowers, among them there are semi-double and double. Breeders also bred low-growing varieties aquilegias that will decorate any rock garden.
The genus Aquilegia has about 120 species. The original species is V. vulgaris: its varieties are usually grown: white ‘Nivea’, black and white ‘Magpie’, terry ‘Nora Barlow’.
But the most widespread are hybrid forms of aquilegia. Among them there is a group of variegated hybrids ‘Vervaeneana’, which have flowers with short spurs or no spurs at all; The height of these plants is up to 50 cm.
Aquilegia (terry)
The red and yellow flowers of A. canadensis have long spurs; the 'Nana' variety does not exceed 20 cm. The most popular is the tall hybrid A. 'McKana Hybrids' (90 cm), its bright large flowers with long spurs have a varied bicolor coloring An interesting variety is Aquilegia Canadiana “Little Lantern”. Its height is only 25 cm, while the diameter of the flowers is 5 cm. The flowers are red with lemon-yellow stamens.
Low-growing columbine plants have predominantly blue flowers. For example, V. Bertolonii (A. bertolonii) is a true dwarf, only 15 cm in height, and has pale blue flowers. No less compact is V. fan-shaped (A. flabellata) - also a 15-centimeter tiny one with blue-violet flowers.
Aquilegia vulgaris
Growing conditions.
Watersheds are short-lived (they grow in one place for 5–6 years). After this period, aquilegia grow old, lose winter hardiness and may fall out in winter. However, they are easy to re-grow from seed. The main flowering period occurs in May-June, sometimes flowering continues until July.
Growing conditions for aquilegia are quite simple. For plants of this genus, partial shade is preferred; they feel uncomfortable in the open sunny place, the bushes are getting smaller. This makes it an excellent perennial for shady gardens.
Almost any soil is suitable for the catchment area, the main thing is that it is well drained and sufficiently moist. On soils rich in organic matter, aquilegia forms more powerful and lush bushes. Therefore, when planting under aquilegia, it is advisable to add humus or compost.
Aquilegia vulgaris "Clementine"
Care.
In hot weather, aquilegia must be watered abundantly; the plant suffers greatly from drought and loses its decorative properties - the leaves turn yellow. Mature bushes can tolerate some lack of moisture, thanks to deep-rooted roots, and yet such “starvation” affects their decorative effect.
Like other garden plants, aquilegia requires timely weeding, loosening the soil and fertilizer 2 times a year. In spring it is better to use complex mineral fertilizer for flowering plants, and in the fall - phosphorus-potassium fertilizer to increase winter hardiness.
Faded aquilegia flowers are removed in a timely manner if they do not want to allow self-sowing. Aquilegia is a cross-pollinated plant, therefore, when different hybrids are grown in one area, the self-seeded plants may not be as decorative as their parents. In tall varieties, the stems are cut off after flowering.
Aquilegia "Mak Kana"
Aquilegia winter quite well without any shelter in almost all zones of our country (from subtropical to taiga). The exceptions are species such as Skinner's Aquilegia (A. skinneri) and Golden-flowered Aquilegia (A. Chrysantha), which can freeze out in winters with little snow.
Reproduction.
Aquilegia is propagated by seeds and vegetatively. Seed propagation preferable because the plant does not like to be transplanted in adulthood.
Aquilegia seeds are black, about 2 mm in diameter. They ripen in long pods. As mentioned above, the plant reproduces well by self-sowing. Pre-winter sowing Aquilegia seeds are planted directly in the garden beds in the fall.
When sowing in spring, seeds require stratification for a month at a temperature of 5 - 7 ° C (for example, in the refrigerator). It is not advisable to bury the seeds. They only need to be lightly pressed into the soil, moistened with a spray bottle and covered with glass (or place the pot in a tied plastic bag). In this form, the seeds are sent for stratification.
For more friendly germination before sowing, aquilegia seeds can be scarified - breaking the integrity of the seed coat. For example, lightly rub with sandpaper.
After stratification at a temperature of 20 ºC, aquilegia shoots appear within two weeks. Planting in the ground can be done when the plant has 5 - 6 true leaves. Aquilegia grown from seeds bloom in the second year.
Vegetative propagation is carried out by dividing the bush. However, adult aquilegias do not tolerate transplantation well. Can be propagated valuable plants using small cuttings formed at the base of the stem.
According to their popularity, garden plants are divided into common and little-known. So, in certain regions, few crops can compete with flowers such as aquilegia. It is also called the eagle, the mysterious flower of the elves. And the most common name for aquilegia is catchment. Finds its application in landscaping areas of various landscapes near country houses and on private plots next to our beloved dachas. Widely used in industrial culture to create interiors for cultural parks and design exhibitions.
Distribution in private households is often associated with popular belief, which says that aquilegia flowers are able to protect the house, land and their owners from the evil eye, the envy of neighbors and various types damage. In the distant Middle Ages, this plant was considered almost the only effective amulet against the attacks of evil pitchforks, witches, gnomes and other evil spirits.
Currently you can find both on the shelves flower shops as part of beautiful exhibitions, and in the design of flower beds in various areas. We offer you a photo of aquilegia in various variations landings: 
Description of the aquilegia flower and its photo
You can read the description of the aquilegia flower and see a photo of this amazing garden plant on this page.
First of all, it is worth noting the unusual combination of velvety, delicate foliage, as if woven from lace, and buds that are bizarre in shape and color. The aquilegia flower has an unusual coloring of vegetative green mass. It is a rich blue-green shade with a waxy bluish finish. The shape of the foliage mass is also attractive. Each leaf has a trifoliate structure, tightly enveloping the entire stem of the peduncle and bush. The excellent decorative properties of the bush remain until late autumn. 
Aquilegia flowers belong to the perennial species of garden plants and are grown in cultivation on permanent place for 4 - 6 years. After this, a transplant to new site, since there may be an accumulation of pests and diseases that make flowering poor and not as expressive as in the first years of life. 
An excellent option for a decorative combination in the formation landscape design is a spectacular combination of aquilegia flowers and coniferous trees, such as or . An amazing combination of these large flowers with graceful aquilegia flowers creates Mediterranean style design with unusual lightness and delightful contrast. Can also be used for planting next to personal plot in combination with other coastal plants. 
For planting in rockeries and landscaping alpine slide A careful selection of aquilegia varieties is required, taking into account the flowering period, plant height and spreading of the bush. The same goes for planting in flower beds. According to botanical data, this flower can bloom profusely for 1 month. With good care, flowering lasts up to 7 weeks. The rest of the time it's easy decorative bush with magnificent foliage and dense vegetative mass. 
We invite you to familiarize yourself with the descriptions and photos of aquilegia varieties that can be grown in your garden. 
Varieties of hybrid and ordinary aquilegia
IN garden culture are used various varieties aquilegias, which are divided into large groups depending on the height of the bush, the length of the peduncle, and the shape of the bud. Most often in gardens you can find aquilegia vulgaris with a simple, non-double flower structure and abundant green foliage. Its flowering period is quite short. The common aquilegia flower is distinguished by a high degree of resistance to unfavorable growing conditions. Can withstand short periods of drought and spring frosts on the soil.
Hybrid aquilegia, bred by crossing various wild and cultivars. The hybrid aquilegia flower can have both simple and double inflorescence forms. Has more long period flowering and the exquisite aroma of its buds. The lifespan of one flower after blooming, unlike the common aquilegia, is not 10, but 18 - 20 days. Requires increased attention and special agrotechnical knowledge in the process of its cultivation. In particular, even a short-term decrease in soil moisture levels at a depth below 5 cm should not be allowed. This causes a complete stop in the development of flower buds and stops flowering. All developed buds fall off. 
Low-growing varieties of aquilegia are often used in home culture to obtain beautiful flowering plant, used in interior decoration of apartments and offices. They can also be used when forming borders of garden paths, flower beds, and landscaping along the terrace. Tall varieties of aquilegia can be an attractive decoration for a hedge, house wall or outbuilding. Medium-sized varieties of aquilegia are excellent for forming flower beds as an additional crop with a temporary flowering period. 
Pay attention when choosing a variety for the flowering period. Depending on the variety, aquilegia flowers can bloom both in the earliest spring months after the snow cover melts and late autumn. With the correct selection of varieties, it can be ensured continuous flowering from the beginning of May to the end of September. Usually the inflorescence is formed at the top of the bush stem and rises above the green mass. It is formed by various inflorescences and resembles a panicle in its structure. 
Common aquilegia (Aquilegia vulgaris)
The common aquilegia flower, a photo of which can be seen below on the page, has a simple bud structure. The sophistication of the form is amazing: it is a curved cup that depicts a semi-curved corolla, and five beautiful petals. The petals tend to curl up into small balls, which, in fact, collect moisture from dew and precipitation. In the middle of the calyx there is a curved spur, which repeats the main color of the bud or is radically different from it. Likewise, the calyx and petals may be the same color, or they may differ from each other by several shades. 
Don't be alarmed if the Aquilegia vulgaris variety you choose has no spur at all. This is not a mistake of nature and not a deception of the seed seller. This is a bizarre form of plant in which simple-shaped flowers are completely devoid of this formation. Although other varieties of aquilegia may have spurs of stunning length and beauty 
Hybrid aquilegia
Hybrid aquilegia flowers are mainly represented by semi-double and terry varieties. More full description presented in the article about terry aquilegia. There you will also find many photos of this amazing flower.
For now, let's give some general information. So, hybrid aquilegia, the photo of which is shown below, has a particularly structure. It does not have five petals, but such a number of them that can turn the bud into a semblance of the aster known to everyone. The spur is completely absent or slightly developed and practically invisible due to the densely planted petals. In semi-double varieties, some thickening is sometimes visible in the center of the calyx. This is an undeveloped spur. The most common variety of hybrid aquilegia is “ Nora Barlow" It is distinguished by the sophistication of double flower forms and the richness of their color. 
Hybrid aquilegia "McKana"
The variety of colors, shapes and heights of the bush is provided by various hybrids of this plant. We offer you such a variety as the hybrid aquilegia “McKana Hybrids” to familiarize yourself with the main characteristics of the species. Most often, these are plants with a developed flowering stem, used in cutting culture to form beautiful bouquets and flower displays. Aquilegia "McKana" flowers come in a variety of double flower colors. Blue and purple shades, white, yellow, red and cherry are common. Distinctive feature- no drooping effect. Each bud has a long and gracefully shaped spur. The maximum height of the plant can reach 130 cm. 
Aquilegia "Winky"
IN decorative culture Aquilegia "Winky" is used not only for decorating the garden and cutting flowers for bouquet arrangements. The “Winky” variety (Aquilegia Winky Mixed) can be successfully used for landscaping and decorating the interiors of apartments and country houses in the form of a potted plant. Present various colors. Flowers are collected in inflorescences on a thick, stable stem. Flowering is long lasting. The color of the buds is very different. It has a low compact bush, above which the flowering shoots can rise 20 - 25 cm. 
Hybrid aquilegia "Biedermeier"
Another amazing in its beauty and decorative properties the plant of this crop belongs to the hybrid forms obtained during long-term breeding work. This is a hybrid aquilegia "Biedermeier", which is based on the ordinary wild variety culture. Due to this, it has amazing resistance to adverse environmental factors and does not require special care during the growing process. The Biedermeier aquilegia variety is distinguished by its different colors and low growth of the main bush. An adult plant rarely exceeds 50 cm in height and has long, strong peduncles with drooping buds of various colors. There is a two-color color of the double flower. As a rule, red and yellow, white and blue, purple and blue shades are combined. 
Common aquilegia "Ruby Port"
Another common plant variety, cultivated as a perennial. Aquilegia common variety'Ruby Port' is a graceful flower form with three petals that are exquisitely complemented by several spurs. Can be either one color or a combination of colors various shades colors of sepals, petals and spurs. On average, the height of a compact bush reaches 80 cm. It belongs to medium-sized varieties. 
Aquilegia white
White varieties of aquilegia are represented by several hybrid and simple forms. The plants are distinguished by their exquisite, pure white color without foreign inclusions. Such varieties as “Olympic” and “Alaska” are common. However, white aquilegia flowers can also be found among other hybrid forms plants. 
To the question Who grows Aquilegia Mac Cana? given by the author Intelligent Dolphin the best answer is When I was there, I planted Aquilegia Mak Kana Jant. Having previously learned from flower growers that the seeds are very difficult to germinate, I scarified them, took regular sandpaper and rubbed the seeds a little, then wet them and put them in the refrigerator for 10 days (but not in the freezer), where they hatched, planted them immediately in the ground, superficially , sprinkling a little soil on top and carefully watering (fortunately it was the beginning of May) in partial shade, in general Aquilegia is quite shade-tolerant. The next year the plant bloomed simply unrealistically big flowers, but for some reason only white and yellow)) .
She pleased me with her flowering for about six years (I didn’t replant or thin her, and she doesn’t tolerate it very well), until I sold that dacha.
It should be noted that this plant is unpretentious in care, I did not experience any freezing
Reply from speed[guru]
poured
somehow
stratified
have sprouted
I plant everything in the ground when it is very strong
transshipment second half of summer
NO aquas are impressive
neither barlow
no other varieties
Reply from Lelya Casanova[guru]
Catchment? 🙂 the weed is creepy, to be honest. . Blue and cream grows in a flowerbed, there are seeds of some kind of terry (collected from L.I. at the dacha), I bought a pink one with a white center - I don’t have one under the windows yet. Grows without scarification or stratification, can be replanted in autumn annual plants with a lump of earth. Sow in open ground on April 20-25, depth 0.5-1cm. It will grow normally.
Reply from Slope[guru]
I can’t grow it with seeds, my neighbor shared a piece of a bush, planted it in the fall, in the summer you’ll see how it overwintered.
Reply from Neuropathologist[guru]
Like Natusya, I tried to grow it with seeds, but it didn’t work. I also took it from my neighbors - it is growing normally. But they have a simple aquilegia, and I wanted a terry one.
Reply from Lidiya Kornaukhova[guru]
I have both simple and terry. A very unpretentious plant. After the pods have ripened, I collect the seeds and sow them in the fall without any preparation. I'm already planting them in the spring. And an adult plant tolerates transplantation well
Reply from Nastya Nastenka Nastyusha[guru]
from my own gardening diary: March 7. Take a jar of soil and fill it with snow. Place aquilegia seeds on top of the snow. Cover the jar with cellophane and put it in the refrigerator for a month. On April 7, move the jar of aquilegia to the window. Do not remove the film, just ventilate it every day. Plant in the ground when the threat of frost has passed. Aquilegia can grow in partial shade, but personally I have several bushes that grow in the sun - they bloom faster. Aquilegia can grow in one place for several years; an adult bush cannot tolerate transplantation. old bush dies off, but there is a lot of self-seeding.
Reply from Galina Ruskova (churkina) GALJ[guru]
like all watersheds. in partial shade it grows well in the ground; I put the seeds in the ground - I don’t know. cm
Reply from Nataly Sitko[guru]
everything that sprouted as seedlings was eaten by the wireworm - while I was asking here how to save it - I found the recommended aktara - out of 10 that sprouted in March - very good grew up on the windowsill seeds - did not fall asleep - but in the plant under a plastic loose cap they simply lay on the soil - only 2 survived - for the rest, for the wireworm, the young root of the aquilegia was probably a delicacy - it was such a pity - all last autumn I looked at these seeds and I dreamed that I would grow this beauty --- so somewhere at the end of June I bought these seeds again and sowed them directly into the ground -- I lightly dusted them with soil -- like a patty with flour -- something like that -- and watered them very carefully from a watering can... - they sprouted well too - but whether they overwintered or not, I’ll see in the spring
